More broadly, Francis said: “Antitrust cases live or die on evidence about effects: specifically, effects on consumers. There are really just two questions here: Are the membership rules in consumers’ best interests? And were they applied fairly? If so, [F1 management] has nothing to worry about. If not, Andretti might have a case here.”

The underlying source of the tension is that the sport’s governing body, the FIA, accepted Andretti Global’s application to become F1’s 11th team, saying last October that it met “the stringent criteria” set forth “in all material respects.” But a few months later, in January, F1’s commercial side rejected it, concluding that it did not believe Andretti Global would be competitive or add value in 2025 or 2026.

Could the pressure from U.S. lawmakers move the needle? Maybe.

Francis said antitrust investigations could cause “reputational damage, and the threat of intrusive court injunctions” that major companies prefer to avoid. “So sometimes just threatening a lawsuit, or complaining to enforcers, can encourage the other side to reconsider its position. That makes antitrust a great bargaining lever, even when you might not win the case.”

Andretti, again, is a hot topic at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he was “surprised to see that Andretti have gone down this process” when asked about the letter from U.S. senators calling for a probe into F1.

While Horner said he’d “absolutely” welcome Andretti Global into F1, he said “the most natural solution is for them to acquire an existing franchise should one want to sell.” Horner credited Liberty Media for building so much strength in its model that “even the worst team in Formula 1 probably has a billion-dollar valuation.”

Alpine team principal Bruno Famin added: “Big name, Andretti-Cadillac. But we have to be very careful not to dilute and to preserve the value of the championship and for the teams as well. And there are two ways: They buy a team or they bring enough value to the championship to compensate.”

Regardless of Andretti’s fate, American influence in F1 is poised to grow. Red Bull, the defending world champions, are partnering with Ford for engines starting in 2026. And the lesser known and often-struggling Haas team, owned by American Gene Haas, remains a competitor.